Donor Engagement Specialist at Summit Academy O I C

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

11 Mar, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

11 Dec, 25

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Event Planning, Donor Stewardship, Fundraising, Project Management, Communication, Collaboration, Data Management, Budget Management, Vendor Management, Logistics Coordination, Microsoft Office Suite, CRM Software, Event Management Software, Philanthropic Services, Non-Profit Experience, Attention to Detail

Industry

Higher Education

Description

SUMMARY/PURPOSE The Donor Engagement Specialist plays a pivotal role in supporting fundraising and donor relationship objectives of Summit Academy OIC. The specialist (1) leads the planning and execution of all donor-related events, (2) manages gift and grant processing, and (3) provides comprehensive donor stewardship services. The Specialist ensures the secure and confidential handling of donor information while fostering positive and lasting relationships with supporters. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Event Planning and Execution * Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of all donor-related events, including fundraisers, stewardship events, and engagement activities. * Collaborate with the Director of Annual Giving to align events with organizational goals, ensuring purpose, scope, and messaging objectives are met, attendee experience is positive and relationship potential is maximized. * Create and maintain systems to support event planning and execution, continuously seeking process improvements and making recommendations for system enhancements to leadership. * Develop and manage detailed project timelines, address and resolve challenges, make adjustments as needed to maintain a high standard of quality, oversee budgets, handle contracts and purchasing, and ensure timely status updates to leadership. * Delegate responsibilities based on the event-planning schema, lead event project meetings, and coordinate the work of all project team members, tracking progress and serving as the main point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, including staff, vendors, contractors, donors, sponsors and attendees. * Source, negotiate, and manage relationships with vendors, venues, and other event service providers. * Manage logistics, including, but not limited to, venues, invitations, RSVPs, registrations, catering, audiovisual needs, giving moments, auction, sponsor/attendee/donor/partner benefit fulfillment, programs, set-up and tear-down, load-in and load-out, deliveries, and transportation. * Serve as the primary contact for addressing and resolving queries or challenges from stakeholders before, during, and after events. * Maintain accurate records of donor participation and outcomes, execute financial and in-kind gift processing and gift fulfillment correspondence; reconcile gift records with the Finance Department. * Ensure compliance with safety regulations, legal requirements, and organizational policies. * Conduct post-event evaluations to gather feedback, assess performance metrics, and use data-driven insights to make recommendations to improve future event strategies. * Maintain detailed records of event planning and key contacts for institutional memory; contribute to the department's annual resource allocation planning process. Gift and Grant Processing * Develop and maintain gift and grant processing systems to ensure responsive donor stewardship, continuously improving processes and recommending enhancements to leadership. * Process gifts and grants accurately and promptly, ensuring acknowledgments are sent within 24-48 hours. * Generate receipts, acknowledgment letters, pledge reminders, and giving reports in a timely manner, ensure accuracy and compliance with donor intent. * Collaborate with the Development Data Specialist to ensure proper donation coding and alignment with database administration, tracking, and reporting standards. * Work with gift officers and the Grants Manager to ensure donor intent is accurately reflected in donation entries. * Support monthly and year-end reconciliation of donations with the Finance Department. Donor Stewardship Services * Manage inventories of donor stewardship materials and event collateral, ensuring availability and organization. * Maintain and update donor, foundation, and constituent data in the organization's database, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality and compliance. * Organize and maintain development records, including, but not limited to, proposals, gift and pledge documentation, acknowledgments, invoices and grant award letters. * Create and maintain tracking systems for department expenses, purchase approvals and inventory ordering/reordering. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES * Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate, listen to, and understand information and ideas presented. * Demonstrated ability to manage complex and collaborative projects. * Able to perform multiple tasks with a high level of performance, track a variety of projects and deadlines among shifting priorities. * Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and provide a high level of service for donors and colleagues. * Achievement-oriented, and highly motivated to meet or exceed individual and shared goals; and support others in doing the same. * Must be committed to the mission, values, and strategic plan of Summit Academy OIC. * Ability to work with constituent information with exceptional accuracy and confidentiality. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY None. WORK ENVIRONMENT This job operates in a professional setting which is fast paced and requires time management and prioritization of job duties. In addition to the office environment, this position operates at various event venues. This position primarily works in-person, with occasional remote work available upon approval of manager after 90 business days of employment. PHYSICAL DEMANDS Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment, which requires the ability to open filing cabinets, use keyboarding skills, and bend or stand as necessary. This position may occasionally lift such articles as file boxes or heavier materials with help from others and/or lift and carry light objects frequently. A job in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree or and does involve sitting most of the time with extensive use of a computer, keyboard, and mouse and heavy phone usage. Additional demands are required for events including set-up and tear-down. POSITION TYPE & EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK This is a full-time, exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It is not eligible for overtime pay. Hours of work are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend hours required. TRAVEL Occasional local travel is required. REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE * Associates degree, or 5 years of professional experience. * 2 years of experience in philanthropic services, development operations or similar experience. * 2 years of experience with fundraising software or CRM, Salesforce preferred. * 2 years of experience with event management software. * 2 years of experience in non-profit event execution. * Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. PREFERRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE * Bachelor's degree * 3-4 years of experience in philanthropic services, development operations or similar experience. * Proficiency in Salesforce NPSP. * Expert level in Microsoft Office Suite. * 3-4 years of experience with event management software. * 3-4 years of experience in fundraising event planning and coordination. * Experience in communications, marketing or public relations. OTHER DUTIES Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. AAP/EEO It is the policy of Summit Academy OIC to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Summit Academy OIC will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. BENEFITS * Our generous paid time off (PTO) policy, which begins accruing at 10 hours per month (3 weeks per year); * 10 annual paid holidays in addition to 2 annual scheduled, paid mental health days; * Eligibility to elect comprehensive health, vision, dental, and voluntary life insurance; * Employer-sponsored life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance; * Eligibility to participate in our 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer match, effective day one; * Eligibility for an annual bonus based on organizational and employee performance

Responsibilities

The Donor Engagement Specialist leads the planning and execution of donor-related events, manages gift and grant processing, and provides comprehensive donor stewardship services. They ensure secure handling of donor information while fostering positive relationships with supporters.